Northeastern University Huskies (0-0) vs. (1) University of Connecticut Huskies (0-0)
2 p.m. ET, Gampel Pavilion (10,167), Storrs, Connecticut
TV: CPTV Radio: WICC-AM 600, WINE-940 AM, WTIC-AM 1080 Web: www.UConnHuskies.com
Broadcasters: TV: Bob Picozzi and Meghan Culmo; Radio: Bob Joyce and Kara Wolters
Last Meeting: UConn won 96-34, Dec. 29, 1995.

Notes

UConn: Prior to the start of UConn’s home opener, they will be honored for their 2009 NCAA National Championship with the unveiling of the banner commemorating the Huskies’ sixth NCAA National Championship. Junior guard Lorin Dixon is out with a hamstring injury. Head coach Geno Auriemma needs four wins to reach 700 (696-122). Senior center Tina Charles has 995 career rebounds and needs five rebounds to become the third player in team history to reach 1,000 (Rebecca Lobo, Jamelle Elliott). Senior Kalana Greene enters her senior season with 999 career points, just one away from becoming the 33rd player in UConn history to reach the 1,000-point mark. UConn has the nation’s longest current home winning streak having won 39 straight games at home, the nation’s longest active streak. UConn has not lost a home opener since November 19, 1995 losing 83-81 to Louisiana Tech.

Northeastern: Northeastern returns three starters and three of their top four scorers from last season’s 12-19 team. The team opens 2009-10 looking to build off of last season, which saw one of the youngest teams in the nation, featuring 11 underclassmen, finish sixth in the CAA. The team made a CAA Tournament quarterfinals appearance for the third time in four seasons. Northeastern welcomes three newcomers to the program for the 2009-10 season, guard Deanna Kerkhof, guard Afreyea Tolbert and forward Rachael Pecota. Northeastern is 0-20 all-time against teams ranked in the top 25 and 17-71 all-time against Big East teams.

Canine Copies: Northeastern adopted the nickname “Huskies” in 1927, while Connecticut took on the moniker in 1934. There are four other schools with the Huskies nickname in Division I, with the University of Washington being the first to claim it in 1921.

Probable Northeastern starters 5-7 Soph. G Jamie Conroy, 5-8 Soph. G Kashaia Cannon, 5-10 Soph. G Brittany Wilson, 6-1 Sr. F Kendra Walton, 6-2 Sr. F Kim Carr.

Probable UConn starters: 5-foot-10 Soph. G Tiffany Hayes, 5-10 Soph. G Caroline Doty, 5-10 Sr. F Kalana Greene, 6-0 Jr. F Maya Moore, 6-4 Sr. C Tina Charles.